Your Procedure Day
What happens on the day of a procedure under local anaesthetic: arrival, the anaesthetic, the procedure itself, and going home.
Procedure Day
What happens on the day of a procedure under local anaesthetic: arrival, the anaesthetic, the procedure itself, and going home.
The day in brief
- •Check-in and observations, then a chat with your surgeon
- •A brief sting, then numbness within minutes; pressure but no pain
- •Awake and able to talk to the team throughout
- •About 15 to 30 minutes in recovery, then home the same day
Checklist
- Eat and drink normally beforehand unless your letter says otherwise
- Arrive at the time in your admission letter (usually 15 to 30 minutes before)
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing with easy access to the area being treated
- Remove make-up from the area and leave jewellery at home
- Bring a list of your medicines and any allergies
- If you have been given a sedative tablet, take it as instructed and bring the adult who is taking you home
What to Expect
- Check-in: our nursing team checks your blood pressure, pulse and temperature
- Your surgeon goes over the procedure and answers your questions
- The local anaesthetic is injected: a brief sting, then the area goes numb within about 5 to 10 minutes
- You are awake throughout and can talk to the team; you may feel pressure or movement, but no pain. Tell your surgeon straight away if you feel pain, more anaesthetic can be given
- Afterwards you rest in the recovery area for about 15 to 30 minutes, then go home with your aftercare instructions
Frequently Asked Questions
Will it hurt?
You may feel a brief stinging as the local anaesthetic is injected. Once it takes effect you should feel pressure and movement but no pain. If you do feel pain during the procedure, tell your surgeon straight away.
How long will the numbness last?
Usually one to two hours. Tingling as the feeling returns is normal. Some local anaesthetics contain a little adrenaline to reduce bleeding, which can cause a brief racing heartbeat that settles quickly.
Can I drive home?
After local anaesthetic alone, once you feel completely normal and alert, usually after one to two hours, unless the procedure was near your eyes or you have been told otherwise. Not if you have had a sedative tablet.
What about pain relief at home?
Most discomfort is mild and short-lived. Take the painkillers your nurse gives you, or paracetamol as directed on the packet. Follow your discharge instructions and the medicine label; ask the team or a pharmacist if you are unsure.
When can I go back to work?
Most people return to work the same or the next day. Avoid strenuous activity and swimming for as long as your surgeon advises; your aftercare guide has the timings for your procedure.
Next Steps
- Arrive at the time in your admission letter, having eaten normally
- Bring your medicines list and any allergies
- Go home once you feel normal and alert, or with your adult if you have had a sedative tablet
- Follow your discharge instructions and your procedure's aftercare guide in this app
Need Help?
For the first days after your surgery or procedure, for advice only. Day surgery, closed overnight.
Continue to the next stage:
Post-Surgery